Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Subin Kara Ahn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Subin Kara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

Embracing references was a big step for me that really helped me make the works look more like what I had in mind. Before I thought that everything had to come to me and if I were to use references, that it would not be organic. I wish I had started using references as a tool to communicate with collaborators earlier, since many times we do not quite have the language for what we are envisioning. This applies to everything I do – directing, acting, song-writing, etc…

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a queer actor, musician, director, model born and raised in Seoul who is very detail oriented. I started out as a vocalist as a kid and got into musical theatre, then deeper into the straight theatre part, then I started digging the song writing rather than just singing other people’s songs (I still love doing covers though)! I direct plays mostly upon requests and although for my music career I focus on my own music both recording and live shows, I also do commissions and write for other people! I call my music Simp Pop because I write a lot about how infatuated I can be when I’m into someone, with the actual sound of it being close to alternative / indie pop. My biggest inspirations are Regina Spektor, Fiona Apple, and Jaurim.

What I am most proud of within and outside of my career is honestly the people / collaborators I have around me. I have been very lucky with the people I surround myself with my whole life.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I’m still kind of trying to find my goal or mission – I once had a goal(s) that do not seem that relevant to me as much anymore, and now I don’t know where exactly I want to head with what I got! But what’s still driving my creative journey is knowing this is what I want to be doing in life for sure. I realized that for me, it doesn’t matter if I’m on a big, internationally renowned stage or a smaller venue. I used to think that me not being able to make a living out of my career as an artist means “things not working out”, but now that I have come to a certainty that I do not care about the scale of it, it is actually easier for me to pursue.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

There’s this book written in Korean that hasn’t been translated into English called “멈추지 마, 다시 꿈부터 써봐”. In the book the author makes a bucket list and label them based on their importance to her, and starts to simply achieve them. This helped me start simply doing things I want to do. Even the little things like buying a leopard patterned tumbler. Also making a list. Which has been immensely helpful in and out of my creative career.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.subinkaraahn.com
• Instagram: @willbug_music
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbR-DJxIF8JvvZUvXvMdNpg

Image Credits
First photo: @jpg_jo22 2nd (purple light): Max Stroeher 3rd (film screenshot): from web series “Do Your Best” 4th (green light): Jealyn 5th (one with bass): Meghan Marshall